Secretly Sporty

Sondre Lerche Flips the Running Order & Lands New Love 06.07.2026 27mnt

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche joins Sebastian to discuss his new album Acrobats, his journey to a sub-three hour marathon, and how starting to run in his 30s expanded his approach to music & boosted his performances.  He shares why he’s taking a new, lower-key approach to running these days, but also why he’ll never give it up.  Plus, he reveals the connection between Acrobats and Seinfeld. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isaac Butler’s Perfect Moment for Pilates 29.06.2026 26mnt

Award-winning writer Isaac Butler — author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act; and The Perfect Moment: God, Sex, Art and the Birth of America’s Culture Wars — shares with Sebastian how Pilates unlocked a consistent exercise habit for the first time in his life, why he’s learning the bass, and what the culture wars of the 80s and 90s can tell us about the way society views the body. The two also trade thoughts on their favorite Yo La Tengo albums and reminisce about 2 Live Crew. Plus, Sebastian and Austen celebrate Secretly Sporty’s first award! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Marshall and the Speed Bike to Nowhere 22.06.2026 26mnt

Greg Marshall, author of the acclaimed memoir Leg: The Story of a Limb & the Boy Who Grew From It, joins Sebastian to discuss why Peloton classes give him the same sense of peace as a well-lit department store, how learning he had cerebral palsy at 30 affected his exercise routine, and why he thinks about optimization differently than his husband Lucas Schaefer (last week’s guest).  Plus, he discusses how he balanced comedy and craft in Leg, and why he thinks everyone needs creativity in their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucas Schaefer Slips into the Ring 15.06.2026 24mnt

Author Lucas Schaefer shares with Sebastian how Lord’s Boxing Gym in Austin changed his relationship with fitness and inspired his award-winning debut novel The Slip.  He also dishes on his current pet peeve in the fitness industry, reflects on the parallels between writing and working out, and explains how having his first child has impacted his approach to exercise and food. Plus: he goes deep on the doubt and uncertainty he felt during the twelve years he worked on The Slip. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa B. Thompson Strides to the Next Act 08.06.2026 26mnt

Celebrated playwright and co-host of KUT’s Black Austin Matters Lisa B.Thompson talks to Sebastian about her Sunday ritual of walking while listening to gospel music, why she considers meditation a part of working out, and how she went from hating ab exercises to loving them.  She also discusses the origin of Black Austin Matters, previews her new play opening this fall, and extends an invite to Ryan Coogler.  Plus, she spills the tea on her favorite brand of tea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maya Lau Salsas through Mexico City 04.06.2026 29mnt

In this month’s edition of  Rest Day Radio, Sebastian is joined by his college friend Maya Lau, the host of Other People’s Pockets, to talk about her life-long passion for dance, her move to Mexico City, and why she thinks exercise should be enjoyable, not punishing.  She and Sebastian also analyze the way the elementary-school set approaches music, and they make plans for a flash mob. Plus, Sebastian answers the lightning round questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kelly Ramsey Runs Toward Fire 01.06.2026 27mnt

Former wildland firefighter and author of Wildfire Days Kelly Ramsey talks to Sebastian about the rigorous physical training she undertook to fight some of the most intense fires in the world. She shares how she increased her running pace — and what form of exercise helps her most when she’s stuck on a writing project. She also tells Sebastian how becoming a mother has changed her relationship to exercise, and how backpacking helped her through one of the lowest moments in her life. Plus, she shares the gym playlist that gets her pumped up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brendan Bradley Deep Dives for the Part 25.05.2026 35mnt

Actor Brendan Bradley, with over 100 credits in movies, TV shows, video games, and commercials — including 9-1-1, NCIS, & Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas — talks with Sebastian about his swimming practice, how getting ultra-ripped challenged his self-identity, and why journaling has become an essential activity for him.  He goes in-depth into how he changed his fitness routine to get into character as the lead of the film The Devil and the Daylong Brothers, and what restrictions he had to abide by when he was the spokesperson for Staples. Plus, he describes the powerful experience he had while walking the Camino de Santiago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamelle Bouie Lifts for The ‘Fit 18.05.2026 26mnt

Acclaimed New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie joins Sebastian for a wide-ranging conversation about his lifting practice, his love of the mid-twentieth century aesthetic, and how his sense of style is one of his biggest motivators to hit the weights. They also have an in-depth discussion about the depiction of masculinity in The Matrix, Fight Club, American Psycho, and Mad Men. Plus, Jamelle relates his quest to deadlift 500 pounds and reveals which type of music he only listens to in the gym. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Millar Fisher and The Secret Marathon 11.05.2026 34mnt

Michelle Millar Fisher -- Curator of Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston -- talks to Sebastian about turning to running during a period of intense grief, following the deaths of her mother and her former partner (Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit). She shares how running then became an essential part of her routine, and what it’s like to come back to it after giving birth to her daughter. She and Sebastian also discuss the 90s UK music scene, the challenges of IVF, and how specializing in craft and design influences her approach to running clothes. Plus, she reveals which half-marathon gives you a lobster roll at the end.  This episode contains a discussion of a suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to https://speakingofsuicide.com/resources/ for a list of additional resources.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thor Harris and Peggy Ghorbani: Joy in Repetition 07.05.2026 33mnt

In our second episode of Rest Day Radio, musicians Thor Harris and Peggy Ghorbani (of Thor & Friends) share with Sebastian how their long-running exercise routines aid them in songwriting, energize them on tour and off, and keep them healthy in body and mind. They also reflect on how Thor & Friends evolved in step with their relationship. Thor has recorded and toured with artists like Swans, Bill Callahan, and Shearwater; he recounts stories of staying fit on the road. Peggy reveals which music can motivate her through even the toughest workouts.  Plus, Thor describes the surprising way he solved his knee pain.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonnie Tsui Hangs Ten with Dolphins 04.05.2026 32mnt

Award-winning journalist Bonnie Tsui, author of Why We Swim and On Muscle, joins Sebastian to discuss why she loves surfing in cold water, the swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco, and why she opts out of music in the gym.  She also reflects on how writing Why We Swim changed her own swimming practice, and she discusses the community she’s found while surfing — animals included!  Plus, she reveals the hilarious name for a whale’s butt muscle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hanif Abdurraqib Runs the Memory Palace 27.04.2026 35mnt

Essayist and poet Hanif Abdurraqib, author of They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us and Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest, discusses how running transports him through time and space, and how it helps him manage anxiety and depression. He goes in depth on his running playlist, and details what types of songs work for what mile of your run—and he and Sebastian bond over why shoegaze is perfect running music. He also shares what he hopes to accomplish when he writes about music, what he’s working on right now, and why gratitude is so important to him. Plus, he reveals the real reason he started lifting weights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Kander Swings for the Fences 20.04.2026 28mnt

Former politician Jason Kander, author of Invisible Storm and host of the podcast Majority 54, joins Sebastian to discuss playing high-level baseball (not softball!). He shares how joining the team changed his relationship to fitness, made him a more empathetic father, and opened up community in his life. He also goes in depth on his experience living with untreated PTSD, how that affected his physical health, and how he was eventually able to treat it. Plus, he reveals the writing advice President Obama gave him — and explains why he refuses to swim in the ocean!This episode contains a discussion of a suicidal ideation.  If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to https://speakingofsuicide.com/resources/ for a list of additional resources.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura van den Berg Packs a Punch 13.04.2026 28mnt

Celebrated author Laura van den Berg, writer of The Third Hotel and State of Paradise, discusses how she became a competitive boxer — and the intense training regimen she maintains to be ready to get in the ring at a moment’s notice. She shares with Sebastian the ways in which competing helps her manage her anxiety, how being a writer makes her a better boxer, and how partaking in the sport has inspired her upcoming novel. Plus, she and Sebastian discuss the one exercise they’re surprised they can do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dano Cerny Hikes to the Beat 06.04.2026 28mnt

VMA-award-winning music video director Dano Cerny speaks with Sebastian about his journey from being an artsy kid who hated sports to someone who prioritizes physical activity, and he reflects on what he wishes he’d understood about fitness earlier.  He describes how he found the inspiration for the Sia x Kylie Minogue collab video “Dance Alone” (on one of his daily hikes).  Plus, he shares the pros and cons of getting shredded for his 40th birthday.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Halimah Marcus Rides on the Level (with Liam Billingham) 02.04.2026 36mnt

The first Thursday of each month, Secretly Sporty takes a recovery day and releases an episode of Rest Day Radio.  And in our first edition, Electric Lit editor and author Halimah Marcus comes on the show to talk about her love for cycling and horseback riding.  She and Sebastian reminisce about their time in college together, trade stories of traumatic moments involving horses, and discuss how writing is a lot like a long uphill bike ride (in a good way!).  They’re also joined by podcast producer and host Liam Billingham, who swaps notes with Halimah on the best Peloton classes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

R.O. Kwon’s Midnight Climbs 30.03.2026 30mnt

Acclaimed writer R.O. Kwon, author of The Incendiaries and Exhibit, tells Sebastian about her love for bouldering, why she stopped, and what brought her back. She also talks about her passion for powerlifting, and how those two activities are the best antidote to anxiety she’s found to date. She also shares her approach to revisions and the precise metric she uses to know when a novel is finished. Plus, she reveals the ways in which she’s like a vampire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soman Chainani Gets Deadlift Drunk 23.03.2026 31mnt

Internationally bestselling author Soman Chainani, writer of The School for Good and Evil series and the forthcoming Young World, talks to Sebastian about his weightlifting practice and tennis game. He discusses how getting what he calls “deadlift drunk”’ helped him through a rough year and how the joy of playing tennis with college students keeps him young. He tells Sebastian that it was only by getting physically stronger that he had the stamina to keep up with his creative ambitions. Plus, he makes the case for what he believes is the best protein bar on the market.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alison Bechdel’s Superhuman Strength 16.03.2026 31mnt

Legendary cartoonist Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home and Spent, shares with Sebastian the weightlifting routine she’s been doing for over 20 years and discusses the magic of long bike rides and cross country skiing. The two go deep on Bechdel’s book The Secret to Superhuman Strength and bond over their mutual love of rollerblading. Plus, she outlines her tried and true tip for making sure she gets her workout in.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.